The semiconductor industry is experiencing rapid changes, ranging from the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to the growing use of tariffs. The relentless march of artificial intelligence dominates headlines, powered by increasingly sophisticated silicon brains. In this narrative, chip designer Nvidia and manufacturer Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) have emerged as the undisputed leaders, seemingly leaving legacy giant Intel struggling to keep pace.
Has any US president’s term in office in a century started as badly from a stock market perspective as Donald Trump’s term from January 20 to April 8, 2025? This has caused significant harm to investors. What makes it special is that the market turmoil can be attributed to the actions of President Donald Trump and his administration. There are also export restrictions. Technology giant Nvidia faces billions in losses due to Trump restrictions. Donald Trump’s administration has restricted the technology company’s exports of artificial intelligence chips to China. Semiconductors are at the heart of nearly all modern technology. The global race to secure component availability has been intensifying as demand for these essential parts grows.
Trump’s tariff mix is causing problems for the semiconductor industry as latest tariff plans could cause significant disruption to the global semiconductor supply chain. The Trump administration aims to boost domestic production, but the measures also threaten to raise production costs and make it more difficult to obtain components. Taiwan’s TSMC, which supplies 90 percent of the world’s advanced semiconductors, could face difficulties, which will affect American technology companies such as Apple, Nvidia and AMD.
April 7th, 2025, is now being dubbed “Orange Monday,” and it’s left global markets charred and investors crying into their diversified portfolios. Trump chip tariff threat throws wrench into global supply network. The Trump administration’s steps toward extending its tariffs to the semiconductor industry threaten many business. The strategy by Apple to diversify its manufacturing from China seemed like a solid strategy, until President Donald Trump’s “reciprocal tariffs” this hit many other countries, too. Trump tariffs threaten Apple’s supply chain, stock suffers steepest drop in 5 years.
Today, many automakers, including original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), contract manufacturers (CMs), and electronic manufacturing service (EMS) providers, face the dual challenge of keeping pace with rapid technological advancements while managing significant geopolitical risks affecting their supply chains. Trump’s planned tariffs on chip imports risk upending a global supply chain and could lead to oversupply as the US and other countries seek domestic production Pentagon leaders are calling for thousands of drones to prepare for war in the Pacific. But as Trump’s tariffs escalate tensions with China, they face an uncomfortable reality: Silicon Valley’s drone companies are addicted to Chinese components.
Trump has repeatedly called out and accused Taiwan of stealing the U.S. chip manufacturing business and touted tariffs on semiconductor imports. Trump wants to see more chip manufacturing to happen in USA. Semiconductors are at the heart of America’s strength, enabling the essential technologies that drive economic growth and national security. Semiconductors are at the heart of America’s strength, enabling the essential technologies that drive economic growth and national security. With demand for semiconductors projected to increase significantly by 2030 and beyond, semiconductor companies are ramping up production and innovation to keep pace. The Future of U.S. Semiconductor manufacturing in 2025 seems to be TSMC’s Expansion and Intel’s delay. Two major players in the industry, TSMC and Intel, stand at opposite ends of the current manufacturing landscape as the United States attempts to boost its domestic chip ecosystem. TSMC’s costly expansion and Intel’s delayed reshoring efforts represent the opposite ends of America’s semiconductor manufacturing efforts.
There are expert views that US chip production targets edge further out of reach under Trump administration because of FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt) on the markets now. The future of the CHIPS and Science Act and its manufacturing funding is increasingly doubtful. Donald Trump was vocal about his criticism of the CHIPS and Science Act that was meant to spur the build-out of a domestic semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem. The CHIPS Act has become a cornerstone of U.S. policy to revitalize domestic semiconductor manufacturing. When it was announced, a flurry of investments from semiconductor manufacturers quickly accumulated to over $400 billion. While its passage and funding allotment did not occur as quickly as initially planned—something noted by many chipmakers over the last few years—it received significant bipartisan support within the U.S. government. The president is beginning to take action against the law to pivot towards tariffs, hoping to entice companies to onshore production in a bid to avoid import tax hikes.
Reuters reports that “some officials have expressed concern Trump could seek to invalidate binding grant agreements struck in the Biden administration.” Some projects are already facing uncertain futures. There is fear that US chip production targets edge further out of reach under Trump administration. Intel’s ambitious $28 billion semiconductor factory in Ohio has experienced significant delays. Originally planned as a cornerstone of Intel’s strategy to restore chip manufacturing to the U.S. and part of the CHIPS and Science Act’s push for government approval, the delay in Ohio raises questions about Intel’s ability to meet its goals for American chip production. The delay also raises questions about the future stability of the semiconductor industry in the U.S. for companies that don’t have the same capital as giants like TSMC.
There are also some agreements that seem to show some wins with the new tariffs politics. Trump announces $100 billion investment in U.S. from TSMC. Also Nvidia aims to spend several hundred billion dollars to procure US-made chips and electronics over the next four years, the Financial Times reported.
TSMC’s New Arizona Fab! Apple Will Finally Make Advanced Chips In The U.S.
While Trump’s tariff policy might boost investments into the U.S. by semiconductor manufacturers looking to avoid added costs, it won’t solve the labor shortage impacting the industry. Solving the problem will require a combined effort from chip manufacturers, education leaders, and government support. Those will be challenges. Semiconductor Industry Association project the semiconductor industry’s workforce will grow by nearly 115,000 jobs by 2030, from approximately 345,000 jobs today to approximately 460,000 jobs by the end of the decade, representing 33% growth. Of these new jobs, we estimate roughly 67,000—or 58% of projected new jobs (and 80% of projected new technical jobs)—risk going unfilled at current degree completion rates. Intel’s Ohio project, touted as one of the most ambitious semiconductor production facilities in the U.S., has faced delays due to logistical challenges, workforce issues, and regulatory hurdles. TSMC also had to delay its Arizona production schedules when it became clear there wasn’t enough specialized labor to operate its new facilities. This situation is not inherently unique to the U.S., as China, the EU, and even chip powerhouse Taiwan face obstacles caused by the labor shortage. To create a strong domestic ecosystem, the U.S. must grow a strong workforce that can run the new facilities.
In addition to chips there is will to have move the whole electronics products back to USA from Asia. Experts doubt Trump line that tariffs will shift manufacturing from Asia. The White House is insisting that Donald Trump’s vision of Apple’s flagship iPhones being manufactured in the US will come to fruition, despite assertions from analysts and the company itself that it would not be possible.. The reason seems to be that the US does not have the workforce of other nations where the vast majority of its electronics are currently manufactured, such as China, which makes about 85% of iPhones, India and Vietnam. The Wall Street Journal reported that, based on conversations with manufacturing experts, making and assembling all the components required to build an iPhone in the US would be impossible. “But shifting some manufacturing here? Not totally insane,” wrote WSJ’s tech team. For propaganda purposes China Creates Mocking AI Video of Average Americans Working in Garment Factory.
Intel 2025: Intel is in problem, and it is expected that it will sell some of it’s parts in 2025. In March Intel Corporation announced that its board of directors has appointed Lip-Bu Tan, an accomplished technology leader with deep semiconductor industry experience, as chief executive officer. The cutting-edge High Numerical Aperture Extreme Ultraviolet (High NA EUV) lithography tools is not expected to be production-ready until 2027 for a later node, designated 14A. It is expected that before that Intel would be forced to rely on existing Low NA EUV technology for 18A, likely employing complex and costly multi-patterning techniques. But new feature in Intel’s 18A is the utilization of BSPDN (Backside Power Delivery) that can give improved power efficiency along with signal integrity. Intel’s 18A is said to report an SRAM density equal to that of TSMC’s N2 process, signaling a massive breakthrough for the IFS and its semiconductor ambitions. Nvidia and Broadcom are running manufacturing tests with Intel, using the company’s most advanced production techniques, known as 18A. AMD is also evaluating whether Intel’s 18A manufacturing process is suitable for it.
TSMC-Intel semiconductor race is pretty much on, and it looks like the competition is going to get a lot more fiercer. Dutch company ASML – the sole global supplier of all EUV lithography machines – High NA EUV represents the next generation of this critical technology. TSMC gained ground by adopting EUV and at the same time, Intel extended the life of older DUV technology with complex multi-patterning, ultimately losing its process leadership.
Intel reported a 2024 net loss of $18.8 billion, its first since 1986, driven by large impairments. Intel was trying to get in on the AI bandwagon and invested a lot in it. It turned out that they have no chance of getting in on the AI bandwagon and ARM chips are still eating their x86 CPU market. This is a big business problem. Intel is expected to sell some of it’s parts. Multiple companies have expressed interest in buying parts of Intel. Intel is likely to be broken up into at least two, possibly even three or more pieces. Who will get Altera in 2025? Was the first question that was answered. Intel’s breakup begins with sale of $8.75B-valued Altera to private equity giant Silver Lake. Then we are waiting for the next move in Intel’s plan to shed non-core assets and reinvent itself. Hell freezes, pigs fly: Rumor has it that Intel could merge with AMD’s former foundry in potential multi-billion deal with GlobalFoundries or Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) and the world’s number two chip design firm Broadcom divide its assets up. We will sew that is happening later this year.
The buildout of AI infrastructure in the US has reached a macro-level scale, and ensuring continuous growth will require ample availability of capital. There is a fear that the economic uncertainty induced by Trump tariffs could become the single largest barrier to American AI supremacy because economic uncertainty often leads to delays, and delays leads to contractions. Fortunately, on a micro level, research indicates that the tariffs will not impact (for the most part) the competitiveness of the United States in AI infrastructure costs but rather through capital accessibility. Let’s wait to see how changing tariffs, loopholes, and global trade for AI-related infrastructure equipment. Cost of capital is rising, with soaring 10 year interest rates, and the tightening of financial conditions could likely lead to a short-term slowdown in the AI infrastructure buildout.. Tariffs can potentially have major short-term impact on US hyperscalers if they affect the key components. At the moment GPU servers are largely exempted from tariffs, but optical module costs will increase by 25-40%. Some manufacturers are significantly better positioned than others. Mexico is already a large assembly hub and will take a central role in this new world order. Datacenter construction costs could increase by mid-to-high single digits – but the TCO impact for GPU cloud operators is likely less than 2%.increase. Retaliatory tariffs targeting US Big Tech are possible.
Sources:
https://futurism.com/elon-musk-trouble-donald-trump-tariffs
https://www.salkunrakentaja.fi/2025/04/trump-tullifarssi-aloitteleva-sijoittaja/
https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/events/orange-monday-2025-stock-market-crash
https://trib.al/3SqaBJz
https://knowyourmeme.com/editorials/guides/why-are-people-calling-today-orange-monday-memes-inspired-by-the-2025-stock-market-crash-explained
https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Trade-war/Trump-tariffs/Trump-chip-tariff-threat-throws-wrench-into-global-supply-network
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-03-20/nvidia-will-spend-hundreds-of-billions-on-chips-made-in-us-ft
https://yle.fi/a/74-20156456
https://wccftech.com/intel-18a-process-reportedly-comes-with-sram-density-on-par-with-tsmc-n2/
https://www.semiconductors.org/chipping-away-assessing-and-addressing-the-labor-market-gap-facing-the-u-s-semiconductor-industry/
https://futurism.com/elon-musk-trouble-donald-trump-tariffs
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/03/tsmc-to-announce-100-billion-investment-in-us-chip-plants.html
https://www.manufacturingdive.com/news/trump-biden-chips-act-future-federal-cuts-layoffs-musk/741052/
https://etn.fi/index.php/opinion/17239-trumpin-tariffisekoilu-aiheuttaa-ongelmia-puolijohdealalla
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/17249-tunnelin-paeaessae-naekyy-jo-valoa
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-03-05/trump-calls-for-end-to-52-billion-chips-act-subsidy-program
https://www.eetimes.com/trumps-revamp-of-chips-act-aims-at-big-investments/
https://www.techradar.com/pro/hell-freezes-pigs-fly-rumor-has-it-that-intel-could-merge-with-amds-former-foundry-in-potential-multi-billion-deal
https://www.techspot.com/news/106408-nvidia-transitions-advanced-cowos-l-chip-packaging-signaling.html
https://wccftech.com/intel-18a-process-reportedly-comes-with-sram-density-on-par-with-tsmc-n2/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIltX9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHYvnrhR4eesq60Y5LSNJolLapE3d5cLhC_nGCgoVHz228stCegxQkjiEzw_aem_H4OUKANJtC2QMgoj7aB83A
https://www.theedgesingapore.com/views/tech/intel-nears-end-tsmc-and-broadcom-ready-deals
https://semianalysis.com/2025/04/10/tariff-armageddon-gpu-loopholes/
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/syug00y9rkx#google_vignette
https://futurism.com/elon-musk-trouble-donald-trump-tariffs
https://hillsboroherald.com/the-hillsboro-oregon-gambit-is-intel-about-to-rewrite-the-rules-of-chipmaking-with-a-secret-weapon-and-a-surprising-ally/
https://futurism.com/china-mocking-ai-video-americans-sweatshop
https://futurism.com/trump-iphones-america
https://www.lightreading.com/smartphones-devices/Trump-tariffs-won%27t-bring-iPhone-manufacturing-to-US-shores
https://www.techzine.eu/news/infrastructure/130056/dutch-attempt-to-keep-asml-is-at-a-gridlock/
https://dawn.fi/uutiset/2025/04/04/nintendo-switch-2-ennakkotilaukset-siirretty-trump-tullit
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-03-20/nvidia-will-spend-hundreds-of-billions-on-chips-made-in-us-ft
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHat_LYrpQE
https://newsroom.intel.com/corporate/intel-appoints-lip-bu-tan-chief-executive-officer
https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/exclusivetsmc-pitched-intel-foundry-jv-to-nvidia-amd-and-broadcom-sources-say-3922603
15 Comments
Tomi Engdahl says:
Intel says upcoming layoffs will be less than 20,000—but early retirement won’t be an option
Restructuring to rely on buyouts and department-by-department reviews.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/sj110npjyee
Tomi Engdahl says:
CNBC:
Temu adds “import charges” of between 130% and 150% “due to recent changes in global trade rules and tariffs”; Shein also hikes prices but without explicit fees — Chinese e-tailer Temu has started adding “import charges” of about 145% in response to President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Temu adds ‘import charges’ of about 145% after Trump tariffs, more than doubling price of many items
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/28/temu-adds-import-charges-after-trump-tariffs.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
Kommentti: Trump iski ikoniseen moottoripyörään – jälleen
https://www.is.fi/taloussanomat/art-2000011192928.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
Intelin uusi pomo laittaa tuulemaan – joka viides saa lähteä
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/17465-intelin-uusi-pomo-laittaa-tuulemaan-joka-viides-saa-laehteae
Intel on ilmoittanut suunnittelevansa vähentävänsä jopa yli 20 prosenttia henkilöstöstään. San Francisco Chroniclen raportoimat vähennyksen olisivat samalla yhtiön historian suurin irtisanomisaalto.
Tämä päätös seuraa ensimmäisen vuosineljänneksen 821 miljoonan dollarin tappiota, vaikka yhtiö saavutti 12,7 miljardin dollarin liikevaihdon. Uudelleenjärjestelyt ovat osa uuden toimitusjohtajan, Lip-Bu Tanin, strategiaa yksinkertaistaa yhtiön toimintaa ja palauttaa kilpailukyky tekoälypiirien markkinoilla, joilla Intel on jäänyt jälkeen kilpailijoistaan kuten Nvidiasta.
Tan, joka aloitti tehtävässään maaliskuussa 2025, on kritisoinut Intelin byrokraattista tehottomuutta ja korostanut tarvetta nopeuttaa päätöksentekoa sekä keskittyä tuottavuuteen
Tomi Engdahl says:
Analyysi: 100 päivän kaaos on vienyt äänestäjien luottamuksen Trumpiin – yhä huonompaa on luvassa
Presidentin ensimmäiset sata päivää on merkkipaalu, jolloin arvioidaan hänen kautensa alkua. Trumpilta odotettiin uudistuksia, mutta ei kaiken hajottavaa pyörremyrskyä, arvioi ulkomaantoimittaja Mika Mäkeläinen.
https://yle.fi/a/74-20158154
Tomi Engdahl says:
Aidan McLaughlin / Mediaite:
In the WH briefing room, pro-Trump media personalities, who lack the accountability structures of traditional media, are asking fawning, useless “questions” — For years, independent media has assailed the traditional press for a variety of alleged sins — a deference to experts …
Turns Out Podcasters Make for Poor White House Reporters
https://www.mediaite.com/opinion/turns-out-podcasters-make-for-poor-white-house-reporters/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BufxWZioc/
Apple plans to assemble nearly every iPhone for U.S. sales in India by late 2026, shifting about 60 million units annually. Talks with Foxconn and Tata aim to bypass China’s heavy tariffs. Despite India’s 5–10% higher production costs, Apple is expanding its Indian factories and using chartered flights to cut import taxes. Tim Cook is betting big on India.
#Apple #iPhoneProduction #IndiaManufacturing #TechNews #TimCook
Tomi Engdahl says:
Punchbowl News:
Source: Amazon plans to soon show how much President Trump’s tariffs are adding to the price of each product next to its total listed price
https://punchbowl.news/archive/42925-am/#__amazontodisplaytariffcostsforconsumers__
Tomi Engdahl says:
Rafe Uddin / Financial Times:
Sources: Amazon is seeking steep supplier discounts and setting tough terms to protect margins amid US tariffs, following its playbook from Trump’s first term
Amazon pressures suppliers to cut prices to limit Trump tariff shock
https://www.ft.com/content/0363e639-07de-4b6b-84f8-82733bc3afc7
Tomi Engdahl says:
Kevin Breuninger / CNBC:
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says Amazon reportedly adding tariff pricing to each product on its site “is a hostile and political act by Amazon” — WATCH NOW — The White House on Tuesday slammed Amazon for reportedly planning to display the cost …
White House blasts Amazon over tariff cost report: ‘Hostile and political act’
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/29/white-house-blasts-amazon-over-tariff-cost-report-hostile-and-political-act.html
The White House on Tuesday slammed Amazon for reportedly planning to display the cost of President Donald Trump’s tariffs next to the total price of products on its site.
“This is hostile and political act by Amazon,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a press briefing.
Shares of the retail giant founded by Jeff Bezos dropped in premarket trading following the remarks.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Karen Freifeld / Reuters:
Sources: Trump officials are considering removing a Biden-era rule that divides the world into tiers that help determine how many AI chips a country can obtain — The Trump administration is working on changes to a Biden-era rule that would limit global access to AI chips …
Exclusive: Trump officials eye changes to Biden’s AI chip export rule, sources say
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/trump-officials-eye-changes-bidens-ai-chip-export-rule-sources-say-2025-04-29/
Summary
Companies
Trump administration may alter how the U.S. controls global access to AI chips — sources
A January rule divides the world into three tiers, with most countries subject to caps
Trump officials mull replacing the tiers with government-to-government agreements — sources
The rule is set to go into effect on May 15
NEW YORK, April 29 (Reuters) – The Trump administration is working on changes to a Biden-era rule that would limit global access to AI chips, including possibly doing away with its splitting the world into tiers that help determine how many advanced semiconductors a country can obtain, three sources familiar with the matter said.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Jane Lanhee Lee / Bloomberg:
TSMC has begun building a third fab in Arizona, announcing the third phase of its US expansion the same day Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick toured TSMC’s site — The world’s most advanced chipmaker announced the third phase of its US expansion the same day Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick …
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-30/tsmc-starts-building-third-arizona-fab-to-ramp-up-us-expansion
Tomi Engdahl says:
Michael Kan / PCMag:
Intel’s next chip node, 14A, is set for a 2027 release, will feature “Turbo Cells”, and allegedly has 15%-20% better performance-per-watt over the 18A process
Intel’s Next Chip Node, 14A, to Boost CPU Speeds With ‘Turbo Cells’
https://uk.pcmag.com/processors/157787/intels-next-chip-node-14a-to-boost-cpu-speeds-with-turbo-cells
The company previews the new chip node as Intel’s foundry business tries to take on TSMC and recruit more tech companies as clients.
Tomi Engdahl says:
In the meantime, Intel plans to use its 18A chip node to develop semiconductors not only for third-party customers but also for its own business. This includes Intel’s upcoming “Panther Lake” laptop-focused CPUs, which are scheduled to arrive in the second half of this year.
https://uk.pcmag.com/processors/157787/intels-next-chip-node-14a-to-boost-cpu-speeds-with-turbo-cells
Tomi Engdahl says:
Fortune:
Amazon says Amazon Haul “considered the idea of listing import charges on certain products”, but “this was never a consideration for the main Amazon site” — White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt holds a news article on Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos as she speaks during …
Amazon pours cold water on report saying it will show how tariffs affect each product’s price: ‘Never a consideration for the main Amazon site’
https://fortune.com/9999/09/99/amazon-denies-tariffs-pricing-report/